Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1887-04-08
JuMso's OLD cHuM.



He won't Return to England Because
Junbo-s Carcass Is Here
Animal trainers are queer lot as
rule, and show-managers have to put
up with many yagaries from them
They form strong attachments for Their
big and sometimes rnga;nly pets, Al
tachmcnts such as one wonld hardly
expect to exist between human being
and wild beast A case in point re.
Gently came under the notice Of Mr..
James l. Hutchinson, Of the Barnum
show, which serves we'll to illustrate
what seems to be one Of the chief traits
in an animal-trainers character. When
the Barnum people bought Jumbo in
England they brought over to this coun-
try with him Matthew Scott, who for
some twenty years had been the trainer
and keeper of the huge. homely bat
good-natured beast. Scott was Jum-
bo's guardian and constant companion
during the pachyderm's brief but bril-
liant career in this country. When
Jumbo met his death as q result Of too
much monkeying with railroad tain
up in Canada. Scott was .sail broke mp. y
to use the verancular He was rest
less. dissatisfied. pretty well broken-up
individual while the skin OF his elephan-
tine bedfellow was bein. sEusesi and
bis skeleton cleaned and mounted for
exhibition purposes. When the re-
mains of Jumbo were added to the
Barnum aggregation Scott was put on
exhibition with them He seemed to
have recovered some of ms happiness
then. and never tired Of telling Of the
peaceful disposition. the kindly nature.
and the altogether commendable habits
Of his late chum-
When the Barnum show closed fts
season last October Mr. Hutchinson
told Scott that he would have no furfh-
er use for him. and advised him to 90
back TO England and accept the position
Mt the London geological garden that
WAS waiting tor him Scott ssId he
would do so. On Oct. . in Lynch
burg. Va, Mr.. Hutchinson paid Scott
the nearly g. 600 which had accumuIa-
ted in his hands as the old trainers
wages. Scott also received moner to
pay his passage back to Europe. in &C
Barnum people He babe everyone
goodbye. left the show. and started for
this city in time to take the steamer he
had selected for Liverpool That was
the last that was seen or heard of him
by the proprietors of the Barnum show
until last week.
Mr.. Hutchinson went up TO the
Bridgeport winter quarters then 10 see
how things were progressing for the
removal of the shows truck 10 this
CITY. He was astonished shortly after
I leaving his tram to meet Scott.
Halo, Scott. whst are Won doing
here? Thought you were in England
with your friends? Glad TO see You.
any way" Thus spoke the CHEEKY
manager.
Scott stumbled in his words consldera-
bly, and explained that he'd made lots OF
friends in this country. rather liked it.
and thought he'd stay here for 3 while
for rest as he had a good pile of money
for him. He appeared TO be trifie
ashamed of something, as If caught in
disreputable sort of proceeding. Mr.
Hutchinson left him and went to the
big barns and sheds of the company.
But he could not forget Scott
Seen anything of Jumbo Scott
around here lately?' he inquired casu-
ally of the people in the office No.
they hadn't He determed 10 pursue
his inquiries further. and solve the mys-
terry of this man Scott's being IN Bridge
port. So he went down to the elephant
house. Yes. they had seen Scott; seen
him frequently; almost daily in fact
Mr.. Hutchinson followed the eiew quiz
city and successfully. and then il turn
ed out that nearly every day since the
show had been in winter quarters Scott
had prowled about the barn. chatted
with the elephant men. and invariably
wound up his call by visit to the spot
where the stuffed Jumbo and chained
skeleton are stored After s short. and
so far as is known. silent communion
with his dead friend. Scott would leave
the place satisfied and go to his humble
lodgings in Bridgeport If the deceas-
ed Jumbo travels this season Scott will
want to, even il ne isn't or the salary
list---Nssc York Times.